The Balas Store

The Balas Store is right here in Karan Nagar, specifically near the SMHS Hospital at the Main Chowk. It gets pretty busy around this part of Srinagar, especially with people coming to and from the hospital all day long. We’ve been at this spot for a while now. Most days start early, getting things organized and making sure everything is in its place before the first customers walk in. It’s not a big fancy place, just a regular shop where you can find what you need without much fuss. The traffic outside at the chowk can be loud, but inside it’s mostly just us handling the daily stock. Sometimes it feels like the whole neighborhood passes through these doors at some point. We try to keep things simple. If someone is looking for something specific, we check the back or tell them when the next delivery is coming. It’s a lot of standing and talking to people from the area. The weather in Srinagar changes things too, like when it’s cold we spend more time just keeping the place warm and waiting for the afternoon rush. Being near SMHS Chowk means we see all sorts of folks, from doctors to families visiting patients. It’s just how it is here. We don’t have any big speeches to give. We just open up, sell what’s on the shelves, and close when the sun goes down or a bit after. It’s honest work and keeps us busy.